Post-Gala Joy!

The above photo shows The Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence Awardees joined by (L to R) NEA Executive Director, John Wilson; Elizabeth Oliver-Farrow, Chair of the NEA Foundation Board of Directors; Harriet Sanford, President and CEO of the NEA Foundation; and NEA President, Dennis Van Roekel.



Here, we have the The Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence Awardees joined by Harriet Sanford, President and CEO of the NEA Foundation (far left) and CEO of Horace Mann Companies, Peter Heckman (far right).



The picture above is a nice one of me alone. Here below, you can see me walking across the stage, announcing myself as the representative from New Jersey.

(All three photos, are courtesy of the NEA Foundation taken by FotoBriceno)

Suday was a great day! Joe and I stayed in D.C. for an extra night to just relax. Things had been hectic getting ready for the Gala so we needed to gather ourselves and just be together a little.

The ride home to New Jersey was uneventful in terms of delays and traffic and we stopped by our daughter, son-in-law's and granddaughter's house.

"HOLA!" said Olyvia in a booming voice, when she saw us.

She scampered over. She and her mom and dad are newly in their place. Olyvia ran from item to item touching things and giggling, as if to say, "you didn't see this one!"

We came home and saw the Grammys and I felt strangely familiar with the process of going for a big thing!

My friends posted picture after picture, on face book, and I can see just how thrilled I was at every juncture of the Gala. Wow!!!! What a time it was. I especially enjoyed seeing my students' video on the giant screen!

On Monday, Valentine's Day, I went back to Northern Highlands to teach a day of five classes. My students were thrilled with the photos and stories. They even broke into applause at times during the telling of the tale. It is so grounding to be with them and to share stories once again.

The road circles back to them, time and time again!